rootboy 

I'm glad to see a thread like this flourish here. We could do a series of these off topic but relevent threads on other collecting or mechanical interests. As has been done a couple of times. Not bike related of course but these types of threads offer insights into members' other interests and are a nice change of pace, I think. After all, a person does not live by bikes alone. I know I don't. Bikes are but one of many interests.

Keep them coming, sewing machine owners. What could be our next thread? Show your vintage binoculars? Your whirly-gigs? Your bear traps?

rootboy 

Don't know quite how to respond to this L-Laddie, so I haven't yet.
Other than to say thank you kindly. You're too kind.
Or...pshaw.....:~>

Sixty Fiver

I must be the bass player...

But seriously... it is nice to see we share a love of more than just classic bicycles here and since it is winter and the shop has finally slowed down I can turn my attention to other mechanical, geared wonders.

Michael Angelo 

Sewing Machines?
My Mom has been sewing all of her life, she has never bought any clothes for herself ever. My Mom started out working for a Tailor at the age of 10, making men's suits, pants, vests etc. She's in her 90's now but still spends hours in her sewing room. She make her own patterns, you can them hanging on the right side of the picture, also has a form mold.




These are pictures of a sewing machine I found at a local yard sale ($20), I have since refurbished the cabinet and serviced it. Works great.









My Mom also does a lot of Crocheting

She made this table cloth in her spare time.

Bike Cottage

Originally Posted by The ******
I really like this thread and had to join in. Here are some shots of my 1929 Singer. I don't know the model but the Serial number is AC672797 and it's beautiful. The engraving alone is amazing enough. I kind of like the provision for a work light too. I've included the obligatory drive-side pic as well.
That is a 99k, the downsized version of the 66... they are excellent machines albeit a little simple with no reverse and a screw to set the stitch length. There were made into the 1950's as they were so popular which gives them a production run of over 40 years.


Thanks for this 65! Keep up the good work.

rootboy 

That's pretty neat, MA. What kind of machine is it?

Just googled it. A White. Cool cabinet too. Nice machine.

rootboy 

This reminds me. One of the things I didn't do on my 201 was re-do the gold numbers on the Threads per Inch cover plate.
Gotta get to that.

noglider 

We could talk about pianos, I guess. In the country, my wife has a Mason and Hamlin baby grand. In the city, she has a Steinway baby grand. The M&H needs work, though.

LeicaLad 

Indeed. Hell of a line up here. A veritable concert line-up, in fact.

I found the paperwork for the mom's Bernina in the travel case. It is an 830E, purchased in 1981. There was some vague # on the machine with the number 200x (x meaning couldn't quite read it), so I assumed that was a production year. Obviously not. Found all her routine servicing receipts, too. Mostly all w/o charge, as part of the 30-year free maintenance guarantee I also found.

One site calls this the "57 Chevy" of machines, meaning perfect and meant to last forever. Mine just isn't getting much use, but this thread resurrects so many wonderful memories. Just the inspiration to dig through some the paperwork and peripherals has been priceless.

Michael Angelo 

I play a Baldwin upright piano

JAG410

Just picked up a 1951 Singer 15-91 and a Domestic Special from Craigslist an hour ago. More projects. Yay!

Sixty Fiver

There is a great FB group for these that is 14,000 strong and counting...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageSewingMachines/

wineslob

I have a Singer Featherweight. This one is not mine, but the same model and condition.




My other obsession is bamboo fly rods, especially Granger or Wright and McGill "Grangers".

This is a late 40's early 50's Stream and Lake 8642 (8 feet 6 inches 4.2 oz weight) W&M Granger.



Just after I finished re-wrapping some of the guides and ferrules. I only paid $45 for it. It's a fantastic rod to fish.

rootboy 

Not too many moving parts in that nice rod, Wineslob. But I'm with you there. I don't have but a few but I too like bamboo fly rods.
I have a nice Granger Special in eight and a half foot.

cradom

Currently restoring a Singer 221 Featherweight. Just ordered some parts for it.
According to the serial no it's a 1953 model.
Next project is the wife's Singer 319W in a cabinet. Both were working when we stored them.
Mostly just need retiming.

LeicaLad 

That is some truly fine handwork there!

sykerocker 

Absolutely lovely thread! While I'm not into collecting antique sewing machines, I do sew professionally as a historic costumer. Did re-enactment clothing professionally DBA Syke's Sutlering (which is sorta still in business under different ownership) from 1988-99. I've recently returned to the business DBA Syke the Shirtmaker (syketheshirtmaker.com) on a smaller scale, which is why I haven't been heard from much in the past year.

And, I'm a Viking (Husqvarna) fanatic. I've got a 45 year old Viking 6440 (the old mechanical machine with three dials) which will never leave my side. I learned Vikings from my first wife who was equally dedicated to the brand, and we did quite a bit of science fiction costuming (the stuff they now call cosplay) during the 80's, as well as a lot of World Science Fiction (Worldcon) stage presentations. That machine has also gotten me thru three motorcycle clubs, sewing colors, repairing chaps, etc.

Main machine now is a computerized Viking 1070 that I bought new in the 90's. Also had a Viking 950 (also computerized) but the main circuit board died, and they're now irreplaceable, so I just scrapped it. Between the three, plus a real sweatshop machine, I turned out over 1100 shirts over the Syke's Sutlery years, plus other clothing.

Sixty Fiver

The 319 is an unusual machine in that it uses industrial bobbins and a non standard 206 by 13 needle (don't ever use 15 by 1 needles), the piano keys are also pretty cool.

rootboy 

Since you took this thread slightly off-topic, Wineslob, I'll help you along.
Here's one of mine. A Jim Payne model 205. 8 1/2 feet.

unworthy1

Bernina makes a great machine, but I've always been partial to the "other" Swiss brand: Elna, preferably the "pea-soup green" models that came in an origami steel case that unfolds into a full work table.
Marvels of industrial design...I fix em up and pass them along, myself...the one I kept is a '70s Pfaff that was left by an ex who moved out so it has, uh, memories...I guess.

cradom

I'm assuming you mean the stitch levers on the top? Yeah cool. It also does dual needle sewing, I found one dual needle in the drawer today.
Have a full set of "Fashion Discs" in a case for the front too. It was her mothers who evidently did some quilting also.

rootboy 

Pics, gent' men. We need more pics.

cradom

Let me know if this doesn't work...
First two, 1953 Featherlight, waiting on belt and feet.
Rest, 5 in all, 319W in cabinet (I do have the drawers, will refinish cabinet) waiting to be cleaned up.


Well, that didn't work, try this:

221 Featherlight



319W

Buglady

Oh, you have GOT to meet my mother. She lives in Lacombe and has more sewing machines than I do bicycles! Two of them are the twins of the ones in your first post - the Bernina is one I actually found in a thrift shop for $20 and brought to Mom for rescue, and the 1948 Singer belonged to her mother. She also has two other Berninas, an industrial Janome, two Elnas, at least three Singers including a Featherweight, and a modern Husqvarna that is in disgrace at the moment...

I sew, of course (I have a basic little Kenmore, 15 years old), but mostly I've been knitting the last few years. It allows quick production of warm stretchy clothes! Mom is a historic costumer and bead worker and has sewn professionally for 45 years.

Buglady

I did NOT know this! I'm going to see if my Dad knows it... he collects guns, mostly much older, though (black powder era). (I come from an interesting family. And I clearly come by my collecting tendencies quite honestly!).